On The Fast-Trak 12-31-02
- Updated: December 31, 2002
Year 4, Issue 4
Happy New Year boys and girls! Believe it or not, this issue takes us into the fifth year of ‘On the Fast-Trak reports! The first few years the column was found on that not so cool site, I forget the name. Anyway, it’s an honor to have the longest running ATV orientated editorial on the Internet! Thanks for reading it and being a part of it! Now on to the news…
Welcome back George! The ATV Scene just got even better.
You can’t leave the sport of ATV racing. Not if you truly love it. I left for for a few years to buy a house and rebuild it, but found myself happily back in the sport a few years later – breaking bones and spending all the money I didn’t spend on the house. This is the time that I met George Davis. Together we dove in head first in that website that I can’t seem to remember the name of. Later the two of us went tapped wide open into the GNC series with a shared mission of changing the ho-hum atmosphere of ATV racing. We then formed Fast-Trak Promotions with a goal of “taking ATV racing to a higher level”. The first mission was to raise a ruckus in the GNC series by promoting our very own national (Deerfield ’98). In it we forked over twice the pro purse, showcases sponsors in creative ways, and delivering about ten times the spectators that typical nationals drew. During this time ATV Scene.com was born and I haven’t slept since.
Just like me, and many other die hard ATVers, my good friend George went though his own hiatus, again, like me – he’s a glutton for punishment as well, and back at it. He’s shelled out $5400 for a new Suzuki Z 400 and has already started to tinker with it. We’ll ease George back into the Scene slowly, but as you might have seen he’s already written a few video reviews (Huevos 5 and Riding Techniques of Team Maxxis) and has some more editorials in the works. I think I speak for all that know him and have miss his involvement, — welcome back buddy!
Gust, Jones and Farr would have been the winning ticket at Lorettas. But there was no bookie then — now there is. But you can’t win if you don’t play. So get with the scene!
Fantasy ATV Racing
“ATV racing people just don’t get involved with their sport like the motocross and supercross (bike) crowd does”. I’ve heard this time and time again. Here’s a perfect way to put a stop to all of that and have a little extra fun this summer by predicting the pro and pro production podiums from each round of the GNCC and GNCs. For every 1st-3rd pick you get right, we’ll credit you with the same amount of points as that rider received that day. We’ll keep track of the points from each round and award sponsor prizes to those who scored the most points from each round! And at the end of the season, we’ll pay cash to the top three points leaders! The more entries equal the more cash you can win, so tell your buddies to put their money where their mouth is. Tell ’em to anti-up-or-shut-up! To enter it costs $40 per series (GNC or GNCC), but based on some of the e mails I’ve received on this, some think that’s too high. So we put a poll up to see what price you think it should cost to enter. As of now my original thought of $40 is winning the poll, but if that changes we’ll switch it to $20 and refund those that have already sent in their $40. Either amount is fine with me, I’m psyched up for this and have a feeling most of you are too.
Fantasy ATV Racing current roster
We’re gathering all the latest pro rider news now. As soon as we gather a good handful of stuff we’ll fire it at you. The plan is to develop two roster pages; one for GNC racing and the other GNCC. They will be set up so we can easily update it via cell phone so you get the latest info to help with your Fantasy ATV Racing picks.
MC retires
At age 31 “Showtime” called it a career and announced his retirement the other night. I know it’s not ATV related but I can’t help but thank Jeremy McGrath for an incredible career full of excitement. He dominated his sport, earning 72 supercross wins, 89 total career wins and eight major titles! But more outstanding to me is the fact that he pretty much personally advanced motocross (and its entire industry) into what it is today. No different than what “MJ” (Michael Jordan) did for basketball. In my opinion, “MC” made motocross exciting and turned hundreds of thousands of ordinary folks into motocross obsessed junkies. Since the ATV industry is within the motocross industry – maybe this is ATV related indeed? Regardless, speaking on behalf of all the ATVers out there, thanks again MC for the memories.
Sony’s PlayStation 2 and its ATV Offroad Fury 2 game team with Bagel Bites bagels and offer prizes along the way
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. announced that it is teaming up with the H.J. Heinz Company’s Bagel Bites to further expose their new ATV Offroad Fury 2 video game. PlayStation 2 and ATV Offroad Fury 2 will be featured on more than 20 million Bagel Bites and Hot Bites package backs. They’ll also release an in print and TV ad campaign to go along with it.
To participate in the contest, consumers simply collect points from the specially marked package backs and then log onto the Bagel Bites Web site, www.bagelbites.com/auction, to place a bid on hundreds of prizes with their accumulated points.
The promotion kicked off this December and runs through April 2003. Sony Computer Entertainment America provides all the top prizes for the auction. The ATV Offroad Fury 2 inspired prize includes a fantasy trip for four to Lake Tahoe, California where the winner will enjoy a four-day, three-night stay with an all day tour including ATV lessons in the High Sierras. ATV Offroad Fury 2 is the first online racing title for PlayStation 2 that supports up to four players per game through a broadband or dial-up connection via the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem) (for PlayStation 2).
“Our loyal and extensive fan base is incredibly enthusiastic about extreme sports, whether it is on the PlayStation 2 or in their everyday life.” said Sharon Shapiro, director, promotions, Sony Computer Entertainment America. “The Bagel Bites Extreme Redeem Auction provides us with a great opportunity to connect with this enthusiasm.” Additional prizes in the Bagel Bites Extreme Redeem include lessons from world champion snowboarder and PlayStation 2 fan, Shaun White. One of the youngest rising stars in the professional snowboarding circuit, Shaun White. As part of the prize, the lucky winner will not only get to ride with a world class snowboarder, but will also enjoy a trip for four with a five-day, four-night stay at an exclusive winter resort. Addition prizes given out by Sony include, PlayStation 2, videogame sets (including ATV Offroad Fury 2, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Ratchet & Clank and Jet X20), and extreme sports prizes such as a Shaun White autographed snowboard.
For more details on PlayStation sponsored prizes, just visit www.us.playstation.com/extremeredeem
New Years Resolutions
Yeah “coming soon” sucks, but we’re still gathering a collection of New Years Resolutions so the annual ATV Scene collection of a New Years Resolutions will have to go up a little later than planned. People are taking their time getting back with us on this. Hopefully “stopping to procrastinate” is on many lists.
Fox Cable Networks go big
The Associated press released some info that could prove to be pretty valuable for the ATV racing community. It seems that the Fox Cable Networks Group is launching a digital cable and satellite sports channel aimed at the younger audience. The yet to be named channel will focus exclusively on extreme sports like surfing, BMX biking, skateboarding, motocross and other new wave sports. Deals are already in the works with Time Warner Cable and DirecTV Satellite and smaller cable operators to carry the new channel, which will allow it to reach 2-3 million viewers! The new channel will feature original and purchased programming. Last but not least, it’s said that Fox is investing over $50 million in the channel. Sounds like their serious, huh? If this doesn’t scream ATV racing opportunity to you you’ve probably drank too much alcohol over the holidays.
More good Fox news
Fox Sports Net invites us all to catch today’s action sports out on their all new “54321 Television” program. Hopefully one of those action sports will be ATV racing. (It will if I have anything to do with it).
Fox Sports Net debuts “54321 Television”, television’s first topical daily program covering the growing phenomenon of action sports, on Monday, Jan. 27. Skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding, BMX and freestyle motocross will be primary elements as Fox Sports Net creates a new genre of sports television entertainment. The 30-minute show will air weekdays at 5 p.m. EST, with convenient replays each evening in prime time and late night.
Cannondale rumors
I tried contacting a few of the major players at Cannondale about this and got no response about the rumors that the company is going out of business. It’s my opinion that they are probably looking for help or a way out of the huge motorsports ordeal. I think they want their motorsport lineup to be bought out or possibly form a merge with someone. Hey Polaris, what do you think? Help a brother out? Please don’t take what I’m saying as the truth on this. As I said it’s only my opinion. Regardless of what is in the future for Cannondale, I’ll always consider them as a pioneer in ATV racing. Not only did they hype up the bored to death sport rider with something fresh and fun with their new standards in ATV innovation, they got the attention of many clue less OEMs and made it possible for them to make even more money – now and in the future.
2002 Best in the Desert Champions
Team Duncan Racing/Roll Design/IMS/Golden West/ITP Doug Eichner and partner William “Wild Willy” Yokley topped off a banner year with the overall win in the ATV class at the final Best in the Desert race of 2002, the Nevada 200. The Best in the Desert series is a six race series covering over 2000 miles of desert terrain across the Nevada desert. Eichner and Yokley led from start to finish at the final round to clinch the championship. The win capped an almost perfect season for the pair. Giving them five wins out of six races for the season. The only blemish of their spectacular season was a respectable second place. And get this, they were only six seconds from winning!
Eichner and Yokley wished to thank their sponsors for the incredible season; Duncan Racing/Roll Design/IMS/Golden West/ITP, Temecula Motorsports, Douglas Wheel, Hinson Clutches, Custom Axis, Tsubaki Chains, TAG Metals, One Industries, Braking, Maxima, Motion Pro, Outerwears, Sunstar, O’Neal, Smith Goggles and Winnex Helmets.
ATV OEM Leaders
Honda 182,000
Polaris 157,700
Yamaha 145,600
Kawasaki 42,500
Suzuki 30,300
Bombardier 5,700
Total 606,300
Retail unit sales figures as of Oct 31, 2002
Source: Ehlert Powersports Business
12 Hours of ATV America post event coverage
All the post event coverage for the 12 Hours of ATV America, has finally made its way out. All in all I’m happy with it. Great pictures and stories that succeed in portraying the importance of the event. Jobs well done. Special thanks to Steve Casper (Dirt Wheels), Chaz Rice (ATV Sport) and Tim Zimmerman (High-Octane Television). I think the ’03 event will be enormous and provide many interesting stories to report about – hopefully these same guys will get this assignment again.
J-Dub looks back on his career
Arguably the best 3-wheeler racer of all time, Jimmy White looks back on his career and where the sport is headed. Check out what he had to say in our interview section.
E Mail of the week
Subject: RE: PlayStation Announces Promotion with ATV Prize
John,
Today we announced a promotion in conjunction with Bagel Bites, which features an ATV fantasy trip prize. The ATV Offroad Fury 2 inspired prize includes a fantasy trip for four to Lake Tahoe, California where the winner will enjoy a four-day, three-night stay with an all day tour including ATV lessons in the High Sierras. The promotion also includes many other extreme sports prizes, which we thought your readers would be interested in learning about.
Please let us know if you plan to cover this announcement, and don’t hesitate to e-mail or call with any questions.
Best Regards,
Janette Barrios
PR Specialist
Public Relations
Sony Computer Entertainment America
Janette
We’ll mention your news in our next “On the Fast-Trak” column. However, based on the enormous profits earned by Offroad Fury 1 and the ability for Fury 2 to out do it and become one of the best selling titles for the game unit of all time, we as ATV racers and ATV enthusiasts were hoping for some kind of marketing venture that takes place within our sport. Something like an ATV Offroad Fury 2 Rock ‘N Racin’ event or events (like the one we were supposed to do together), or help with television coverage for our current ATV National series – that kind of thing.
I think I could have aided in providing many more exciting marketing ventures, which would offer much more exposure within the game’s exact target audience for far less money than I imagine you spent for the bagel idea. In my opinion, the bagel market is not an 18-35 year old male “echo boomer” audience at all.
If you need another prize, (or a better one) how about an all expense paid trip to Iowa for the annual 12 Hours of ATV America, where the world’s best ATV Racers team up for the biggest purse in the sport’s history? Then the following day the winners could take part in our Poker Run, which allows riders to ride on the very same racetrack as well as some 20 square miles of different types of terrain. I’m sure we could get one of the OEMs to loan us ATVs for the winners to ride all weekend.
Anyway, I do not mean to come off as arrogant. I guess I’m just frustrated in marketing decisions lately. No offense.
John Pellan, President
Fast-Trak Promotions, Inc.
Pix of the Week
My defunct 12 Hours of ATV America teammates Tom Farr and Trevor Rockwell. More planning and communicating next year, OK team?
George “Pimp Daddy” Davis hanging out with “Tyrone” Baldwin and his ho Sherry at the Pimp & Ho Party ’02 in Painesville, OH
Yours truly, John Pellan and Adam “I’ll do it” Cook with George’s sister Sarah Davis.
Korn play ATV Offroad Fury 2. And yeah their music is in the game.
Here – have some left over Christmas candy….
